Prometheus moment for Agritech

In Greek mythology, Prometheus gave humans fire - and by extension, technology. With the advent of gene editing, a revolution is about to unfold in agriculture.?

Gene editing technologies have advanced significantly in recent years, allowing scientists to modify the genetic code of crops with unprecedented precision. In combinable crops, such as wheat, maize, and soybeans, gene editing offers the potential to improve yields, reduce susceptibility to pests and disease, and enhance nutritional content.

One of the latest developments is the use of CRISPR-Cas9 technology. CRISPR allows researchers to target and modify specific genes with high accuracy and efficiency. By using this technology, scientists have been able to develop crops with improved resistance whilst simultaneously reducing the use of mineral fertilisers.

For example, scientists have used CRISPR to develop wheat varieties that are resistant to powdery mildew, a common fungal disease that can significantly reduce yields. They have also used it to increase the iron and zinc content in rice, which could help to address nutritional deficiencies in developing countries.

Another recent development is the use of base editing. Base editing is a newer form of gene editing that allows researchers to make precise changes to the DNA code of a plant without cutting the DNA. This technology has the potential to be more precise and efficient than previous gene editing techniques, and it could be particularly useful for crops that are difficult to transform using traditional methods.

In September 2020, the UK government announced its plans to introduce legislation to allow gene editing in England for research purposes. This followed a public consultation that showed a majority of respondents in favour of gene editing.

The UK government has emphasized that its approval of gene editing is strictly for research purposes and that any products resulting from gene-edited organisms would be subject to rigorous safety assessments before they could be released to the market. This means that gene-edited organisms would need to meet the same safety standards as conventionally bred organisms.

As these technologies continue to evolve, they could play an increasingly important role in ensuring food security and sustainability in the face of global challenges such as climate change and population growth.

For farming in the UK in a post basic farm payment (BPS) world, gene editing could - and should - reinvigorate agriculture.?

For those readers who know their Greek mythology, Prometheus’ punishment from the gods was to have his liver pecked out by an eagle, every day; for eternity. Let’s make sure that developments in gene editing agritech don’t produce a similar result.?